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Photo Shoots That Should Never Have Happened
By Michael White | July 8th 2009 01:13 PM | 8 comments | Print | E-mail | Track Comments
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About Michael White

Welcome to Adaptive Complexity, where I write about genomics, systems biology, evolution, and the connection between science and literature, government, and society.

I'm a biochemist


... Full Bio

Photo Shoots that Should Never Be Done

I'm sure I'm not the first to blog about this, but while I was out of the loop for a few days, someone made another hopeless attempt to make nerds look cool: Rock Stars of Science.

Here's what it's about:

The Rock S.O.S campaign idea was generated in part by a recent Research!America public opinion poll finding: 74% of Americans can’t name a living scientist. ROCK S.O.S aims to bridge that recognition gap.

So they start out with 11 science 'Rock Stars', and to be honest, I don't know who the hell half of them are. Plus 9 or the 11 are MDs - I thought this was supposed to be about scientists. (OK, just kidding - no offense to those MDs who do science. Just keep in mind that one is not a scientists simply by virtue of being an MD.)

Actually, this appears to be some sort of charity to raise money for medical research and encourage kids to consider science as a career, not just an attempt to raise the profile of nerds. So head on over to see Francis Collins hanging out with Joe Perry.



Comments

Becky Jungbauer's picture
I knew a few of the scientists from my reporting days... I like the idea. At least they had recognizable stars - I don't know who most of these young whippersnappers on the radio today are.

Becky Jungbauer | 07/08/09 | 15:38 PM
Gerhard Adam's picture
Given the survey results, is it really any surprise that the majority focus is on medical/health related issues?  After all, this is certainly where the public understands one has the greatest potential to earn a good salary.

I suspect many of the choices regarding the sciences relates more to the perception of where one can earn a living than in what is needed by our country or society.

Gerhard Adam | 07/08/09 | 16:00 PM
Gary Herstein's picture
Plus 9 or the 11 are MDs - I thought this was supposed to be about scientists.

Thanks for saying that, by the bye. I've been feeling rather lonely in that estimation to the point that I just recently blogged on it myself.

The photoshoot problem, well, we're all Artistes just as we are all brilliant writers, I guess.

Good post!

Gary Herstein | 07/08/09 | 21:22 PM
Hank's picture
Josh Groban is not even a rock star of nerds much less scientists (or rock stars) - he'd get slapped at any all night seminar on Euclidean geometry just for being annoying. At least Seal gets to throw Heidi Klum around a Motel 6 on weekends so we can respect him.


Not to set off a war or anything, but I have made the argument for 20 years that Joe Perry is the best rhythm guitarist of all time - including Jimi Hendrix. He just had the misfortune not to die. So I'd hang out with him.


Anyway, back on point, there is always confusion about medicine and science (as Gary's article laid out) but any attention is good attention. If more scientists or doctors were rock stars in society that would be good.   All boats rise, and all that ...

Hank Campbell | 07/09/09 | 11:09 AM
adaptivecomplexity's picture
Josh Groban is not even a rock star of nerds much less scientists (or rock stars) - he'd get slapped at any all night seminar on Euclidean geometry just for being annoying.

Yeah, I'm not sure Groban is helping the cause.

Michael White | 07/09/09 | 13:16 PM
Gerhard Adam's picture
..Joe Perry is the best rhythm guitarist of all time.

Not a bad choice, but don't overlook Malcolm Young

Gerhard Adam | 07/09/09 | 12:42 PM
Hank's picture
I don't mean for catchy hooks, I mean for actual rhythm guitar.  You can put a metronome up to Joe Perry - no drummer, no bass - and he is dead on.   I have never seen anyone else like that (in popular music) though there are other guitarists with great technique and rhythm (Eric Johnson, for example) who will send me hate mail for saying that.   But someone has to be first.

Hank Campbell | 07/09/09 | 13:28 PM
Gerhard Adam's picture
That's what I mean.  While Angus tends to be more theatrical, Malcolm always provides the steady drive that keeps it together.

Gerhard Adam | 07/09/09 | 15:03 PM

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